About this Event
We are so excited and have some Great News to share! In January 2023, Operation Uplift, Inc. is celebrating 55 years of providing community service to the Proviso Township area. As such, we would like you to share with us as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and honor our community’s high achievers.
You are warmly invited to follow the crowd to our 34thAnnual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Community Awards Black-Tie Gala Event entitled, “GETTING ON CODE…TO RE-ENERGIZE THE DREAM,” Saturday,
January 14, 2023, at the Diplomat West Banquet Hall in Elmhurst, IL. 60126.
This event will pay homage to all Proviso Township residents who served as Essential Workers and First Responders who put their health and lives on the line daily to ensure that societal operations continued to be fulfilled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This event will garner financial support for Operation Uplift, Inc. and Its West Town Museum of Cultural History which has provided 55 years of job training and historic preservation services to low and medium income, unemployed and untrained youths, and adults of the Proviso Township villages.
At this star-studded event, you will join in and remember the great passion of Dr. King’s life. This year’s keynote speaker will be our former Hometown Dream Weaver Award recipient the Rev. Dr. Joseph D. Turner, Senior Pastor of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Washington D.C. where Dr. Turner focuses his ministry on mentor in aspiring Christian leaders, fostering community partnerships, developing
congregational health through family, group and individual Christian counseling, and the publishing of related audio and written materials.
Our Honorary Chairperson will be the iconic Dr. Ngozi Ezike, current President/CEO of Siani Chicago and the former Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health AKA “Illinois Top Doc”.
The musical entertainment for this evening will be the provided by Chicago native and International Jazz Recording Guitarist, Michael Ross and The Ross Trio.
There will also be performances by 7th Grade Vocalist Master Mathew Rutledge and Vocalist Mr. Gregory Parker.
The cocktail hour begins at 5:00 P.M and the program starts at promptly at 6:00 P.M., with dinner and awards to follow. Your tax-deductible donation is $100.00. Corporate tickets are $125.00. The deadline for all ticket sales is December 31, 2022. There will be no tickets sold at the event.
The Souvenir Book ad deadline is December 24, 2022.
For additional ticket or ad information, you may contact us at (708) 343-3554.
Lastly, if plan to attend the Gala and you were a were an Essential Worker or First Responder during the COVID-19 Pandemic, please reply to this post with a picture of you on your job and you job title.
The evening’s honorees include:
Marsha Alexander, Education, Garfield Elementary School, Maywood, IL - {William and Eloise N. Frayser Excellence Award}
The Honorable Nathaniel George Booker, Mayor, Village of Maywood, IL {Hometown Dream Weaver}
Craig Bronaugh, Fire Chief, Village of Maywood, {Eugene “Gene “Public Service Award}
Gay F. Chase, Administrative Judge (Ret.) Merit Systems Protection Board Board and Police Commissioner, Village of Bellwood - {Northica H. Stone President’s Award}
Jarrell David, PMSA/Student Village of Broadview - {Leon S. Brown Youth Award}
Dr. Ngozi Enzike, President/CEO, Sinai Chicago {Dr. Percy L. Julian Community Service Award}
Carrisa Gillespie, Educator Proviso West High School, Hillside, IL {Hometown Dream Weaver Award}
Laura Grays, Community Servant, Laura’s Line Dancers/Laura’s Kitchen Inc. {Spirit of Uplift Award}
Mrs. Thelma Hanna, Centennial Senior Citizen, Village of Bellwood, IL - {Rosa Parks Heritage Award}
Sidney Lewis, Coach of the Year, Chicago Blitz, Bellwood, IL {Hometown Dream Weaver}
Aaron Peppers, Trustee, Village of Maywood {Hometown Dream Weaver Award}
David Scott, President/CEO, People Cab Company, {George E. Stone Sr. Humanitarian Award}
Micaela Soto, Educator, Proviso East Highschool, {Hometown Dream Weaver Award}
George Smith, Realtor and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, {Hometown Dream Weaver Award}
Shawn Wade, Suicide Prevention Counselor and Caterer, - {Hometown Dream Weaver Award}
Connie Wade Riales, District 88 Board Member and Bellwood Public Library Trustee {Spirit of Uplift Award Award}
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
DIPLOMAT WEST BANQUET HALL, 681 W. NORTH AVE., ELMHURST, United States
USD 100.00